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Permanent residence permit for privileged persons and their family members

Last update: 3 October 2022

In order to live permanently in the Netherlands as an privileged person, you need a residence permit. Find out what the requirements are and how to apply for the residence permit.

Requirements

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(ex-)Privileged person
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These requirements apply to you as an (ex-) privileged person.
- One of these situations apply to you.
  - You were employed at a foreign diplomatic or consular post. You were a member of the administrative, technical or support staff.
  - You were employed at an international organisation.
  - You were a senior management member, including the head, of an international organisation.
- You have lived in the Netherlands for 10 years or more with a privileged status. Did you work for an international organisation? In that case you can add periods in which you have had a Dutch residence permit to the 10 years.
- You meet the income requirements.
- You do not pose a threat to public order and national security.
- You are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of your city or town (in Dutch: gemeente).
- You passed the civic integration exam or you do not have to take the civic integration exam. Find out more about civic integration and a permanent residence permit.
International organisation exists for less than 10 years

Does the international organisation for which you have worked shorter than 10 years? Then you can apply for permanent residence if you have lived in the Netherlands for 5 continuous years as an employee of this international organisation.
Family members of (ex-) privileged persons
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You are the family member of an (ex-) privileged person. You can apply for a permanent residence permit. You can do this even if your family member no longer has privileged status.
These requirements apply to you.
- You are 18 or older at the time of the application for the residence permit. If you are under 18, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit.
- You have lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 years on the basis of your privileged status. Did your family member with the privileged status work for an international organisation? In that case you can add periods in which you have had a Dutch residence permit to the 10 years.
- You do not pose a threat to public order and national security.
- You are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of your city or town (in Dutch: gemeente).
- You have passed your civic integration exam or you do not have to take a civic integration exam. Find out more about civic integration and a permanent residence permit.
International organisation exists for less than 10 years

Does the international organisation for which your family member has worked shorter than 10 years? Then you can apply for permanent residence if you have lived in the Netherlands for 5 continuous years while your family member worked as an employee of this international organisation.

Process and costs

These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit.

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1. Check requirements open minus

A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application

Make sure you meet the requirements.
1. Check requirements open minus

Make sure you meet the requirements.
2. Collect documents open minus

The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.

Have official documents from abroad legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
2. Collect documents open minus

The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.

Have official documents from abroad legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
3. Apply open minus

You submit the application in writing by post.
4. Pay for the application open minus

The application costs € 210,00. Are you under 18? Then a different amount applies. See the web page about Fees: application costs.

You will receive a letter which explains how you can pay.
5. Wait for decision on application open minus

You may await the processing of your application in the Netherlands. The IND must take a decision within a 6-month decision period.

We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send a message.

Follow the application in My IND.

IND late with decision

Has the decision period passed and you still have not received a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late deciding.

Working during the application

The back of your current residence document states whether you are allowed to work and whether you need a work permit (TWV). This is the employment status. Did you apply before the end date of your current permit? Then you will keep the employment status on your current residence document while your application is being processed. Even if your permit expires in the meantime and you have not yet received a new residence document.
3. Decision on application open minus
You will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: you will get an MVV and a residence permit.
- Negative decision: you will not receive an MVV and residence permit. You can object against this decision.
6. Decision on application open minus
You will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: you will get a residence permit.
- Negative decision: you will not receive a residence permit. You can object against this decision.
7. Collect residence permit open minus

When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.

Application form

Written application forms

Download the form, fill it in and send it by post.

Aanvraag voor een EU verblijfsvergunning voor langdurig ingezetene of een verblijfsvergunning regulier voor onbepaalde tijd - 6009 (Only available in Dutch)

Aanvraag verblijfsvergunning EU langdurig ingezetene of een verblijfsvergunning regulier voor onbepaalde tijd 6009 (PDF, 549.03 KB)

The residence permit

What else you need to know about your residence permit.

Working with the residence permit

It says on the back of your residence permit whether you are allowed to work. You are free to work in the Netherlands with a permanent residence permit. Your employer does not need to have a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) for you. It says on your residence document ‘Free to work, work permit not required’ (in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan, TWV niet vereist).

Rights

With a residence permit for an 'EU long-term resident' or 'permanent residence permit' you have almost the same rights as someone with Dutch nationality. The difference is that you are not allowed to vote in national elections. And that you are not allowed to work in certain special government sectors. For example for the police or the army. In order to do so, you must first apply for Dutch nationality.

Legal obligations

You have an obligation to provide information. Find out more about your legal obligations.

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. What if you do not? Then you can get an administrative fine.

Other applications

Replace residence permit

Has your residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change of personal details or residence permit lost or stolen.

Renew permanent residence permit

A permanent residence permit is always issued for 5 years. When it expires, you can apply for renewal. Visit the web page renew permanent residence permit (incl. EU permanent residence).